Chapter 21

Hermione's POV

When Ron turned around I froze and, seconds later, I felt Draco stiffen beside me. As I watched, Ron zeroed in on my hand, which was still holding onto Draco's. My first impulse was to drop it, but Draco deserved better so I gave it a squeeze instead. Partly to offer him support, but mostly because I needed all the support I could get as I looked into the eyes of my ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend. I really wished I didn't have to call him my ex-best friend, but the look on his face said as much. Although I was pretty sure that was intended for Draco.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, once I found my voice. I was very aware that Harry, Ginny, Parvati, Dean, Seamus, Neville and Luna were all staring at me. Blaise was standing to the side with a tray of drinks. Unlike Parvati, who was standing next to him with her mouth open, he looked like he was trying to blend into the wall.

Ron was still glaring at Draco. "Harry mentioned you were allowed to come to Hogsmeade on weekends and I was looking for George, so I thought I'd stop by."

"How is George, is he okay?" I asked.

Ron shrugged, but otherwise ignored my question. "What are you doing here?" He said, glaring at Draco.

Finally someone else spoke up. "He can be here if he wants, Ronald!" Ginny growled. "He's our friend and I've already told you to leave it alone!"

"Friend?" Ron said in disbelief, "He's a Slytherin, son of a Death Eater, actual death eater," Ron was counting things off on his fingers.

"He saved our lives at Malfoy Manor!" Now the whole restaurant was watching, and it was making me uncomfortable.

Ron ignored my last comment. "You're here one week and you're already shacking up with Slytherins!"

That was a low blow. I froze again and I felt Draco tense up.

Ginny screamed, "Ronald!" with a murderous look on his face.

Harry, who was clearly upset by the confrontation, jumped up a placed a restraining hand on Ron's shoulder. "C'mon Ron, mate, you're causing a scene."

Ron shrugged him off and rounded on Harry. "You're sided with him?" he asked, incredulously.

This was getting out of hand. "Ronald," I said, in a surprisingly calm, but shaky voice, "Can I talk to you outside?"

Ron glared at Harry, Ginny and Draco but then stormed outside. I made to follow him but Draco didn't let go of my hand I turned and saw the worried look on his face. I smiled at him and, after a few seconds, he let go. I turned and followed Ron out the door.

It was raining outside but I could see Ron waiting at the edge of the Three Broomsticks, where there were no windows, leaning against the wall so as to avoid the rain.

I approached him slowly but, though I was certain he noticed me, he didn't move. We stood facing each other for a few, painful minutes until I couldn't take any longer.

"Hi," I said softly. So softly that I nearly believed him when he acted like he didn't hear me. "I've missed you," I said, louder.

He snorted at that. "Sure you have," He muttered, darkly.

"I have," I insisted.

"That's why you're all over Malfoy!"

"I'm not!" I insisted, "Draco and I are just friends!"

"Draco? Do you hear yourself?" Ron shouted. "He's playing you!"

I knew he would say that sooner or later. "No he's not." I said quietly.

Ron knew that he had struck gold. "Yes he is! I know it and you know it too! Or at least you suspect it!"

"No I don't!" I screamed. "Draco's been a far better friend to me than you have lately!"

"You broke up with me, Hermione! You ended things!"

"I broke up with you because we were a terrible couple and weren't a good boyfriend! But I miss you! The old you! I miss the way things used to be!" The rain was starting to get heavier and the wind was blowing it onto us, so by the time my tears started to fall, they just got mixed up in the raindrops.

"Things can't just go back to the way things used to be!" Ron said, his voice was a little quieter and I could hear the pain in it.

"Why not?" I asked. "Why can't we be friends again?"

"Because I want us to me more than that."

I hadn't expected that. Ron had never shown much regret over our break-up, not as much as I had, but I realised that had probably been out of stubbornness. When I'd started moving on over the past week I'd thought Ron had a long time ago. Before I knew what was happening Ron was kissing me. It was intense and desperate but not tender. I pulled away quickly, before I wouldn't be able to, and shook my head.

"Ron… I can't," I whispered.

His face darkened. "Because of Malfoy?"

"No," I insisted. "Yeah, I might have feelings for Draco but even if I didn't I couldn't take you back." That might not be true. I'd only started moving on when I'd seen Draco again, but now that I had I saw how bad our relationship had been. "I wasn't happy when we were together."

"Whatever," Ron muttered. "But don't expect me to feel sorry for you when you come crawling back after Malfoy dumps you."

With that he turned and walked away.

"Ron, wait!" I said following him out to the middle of the street and immediately getting soaked.

Ron turned on the spot and disappeared. I stood out in the rain for a few minutes until I heard someone walk up behind me. I turned around, bracing myself for whatever final retort Ron had come back to say but saw Draco.

"Hermione," He began, but before he could say anything else I buried my face in his chest and wrapped my arms around him. For a second he stood in shock then he wrapped his arms around me and rubbed his hands up and down my back. "Are you okay?" He whispered in my ear.

I didn't know what to say, I didn't even know the answer to his question. I didn't know whether to tell him about the kiss, part of me felt like that kiss had betrayed him, even though we technically weren't together. All I knew was that the longer he held me the more I felt better.

"Hermione?" Draco sounded worried now. "C'mon, you need to get out of the rain, you're shaking."

Draco pulled back slightly so that he could look at me. I looked at him and everything else melted away. I could no longer hear the rain pouring down but I could see the droplets on his eyelashes and in his hair. I could see then running down his face and his lips. He looked so handsome and I could see the concern and affection in his eyes. When I saw that, the last piece of my resolve crumbles and I kissed him. Draco didn't respond for a second and then he was kissing me back. It was loving and tender and everything I wanted it to be. I reached up with one of my hands and wrapped it in his hair. My other arm was clinging to him for dear life. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist, pulling me closer, while he stroked my hair with his other hand. The kiss started of gentle and tender then became more passionate, but it wasn't as rough as Ron's had been. This kiss was magical and romantic not angry. It was everything I'd imagined it would be and more. I could taste the rain on his lips and feel it in his hair. After what felt like hours we pulled away. He smiled at me, cupped my face in his hands and gave me one last peck on the lips. Then he pulled away, his hands still cupping my face.

"I love you, Hermione."